Cutting of Sri Mahabodhi branch: Move to mislead Buddhist devotees - Thera

INDIA: The cutting of a branch of the Sri Mahabodhi in Buddha Gaya, India is not of recent origin and this issue has been raised by a group of saboteurs recently to mislead Buddhist devotees, Ven. Dr. Dodampahala Revata Thera, General Secretary, Mahabodhi Society of India said when he called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on Monday.

Ven. Revata Thera said the branch was actually cut two years ago as it had decayed and a colourful electric lamp was fixed at the spot thereafter. The lamp was recently removed for renovation and some interested parties would have distorted these facts for selfish motives.

A Presidential Secretariat release said Ven. Revata Thera who vehemently denied rumours that the branch had been cut and sold for several lakhs of US dollars, claimed that such a thing could never happen in the light of stringent security arrangements in and around the venue.

The Sri Lanka Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya built at Buddha Gaya is due to be opened in February next year. Ven. Revata Thera had arrived in Sri Lanka four days ago to invite President Rajapaksa to grace the occasion as the chief guest.

After handing over the formal invitation, Ven. Revata Thera also briefed the President about the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi celebrations planned at Buddha Gaya from January to December next year.